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Stumpf Fiddle or Devil's Fiddle or Amish Stomp Fiddle or . . . .

I saw a Stumpf Fiddle on one of the auction tv shows and thought that would be a great addition to the other percussion instruments I play in our bluegrass band, Frum The Hills. They go for over $200 so after doing a little googling for ideas, I set out to make my own. I had a nice sized stick that I was saving for a Gandalf staff that would work perfectly. Other common items found on a Stumpf fiddle are bells, springs, pie tins filled with corn, horns, washboards and anything else that'll rattle, shake or thump. With a keen eye at the flea market, I had rounded up most of the goods.

Materials

For these, I suggest looking for fun, unique items. Make it yours.

1- Broom handle, stick, old crutch or something to hang all your accouterments off of. My precious stick is nearly 6 feet tall. But, I have seen fiddles as small as 3 feet or cane height.

Your basic hand tools will work, unless you want to carve the fiddle or scrimshaw it.

Saw. To cut your fiddle to length.

Drill. I drilled holes for the eye bolts. Yours may screw in.

Screwgun and screws. I added the jingle bells, tomato paste can and pie tin with screws.

You may need other tools to add other crazy items you may have found. Go with the flow.

Step 1: The Build

It's a really easy build. Google Image Search Stumpf Fiddle to see how others made them. Then just slap everything on in a way that you'd like to play it. Watch the time lapse video to see how I built mine. Nothing is set in stone. I used a hose clamp to attach the cup, you may use bailing wire. I put the tomato paste can on the bottom, some people put tennis balls or dog squeaky toys. This is hillbilly harmonics at it's best.

Step 2: Chicks Dig It!

Sorry these pics aren't the best. I ended up auctioning off the Amish Stomp Fiddle at a show and had only grabbed these couple pics. At the couple shows I played it at, everybody wanted to touch it.